Operations chief on track for top job at bookmaker William Hill
WILLIAM Hill is poised to name operations director James Henderson as its new chief executive, replacing departing boss Ralph Topping.
Topping is due to step down from his role at the FTSE 100-listed bookmaker by the end of next year, but is said to be happy to leave sooner once a successor has been chosen.
Henderson has been with William Hill for 29 years, having worked up through the ranks from a trainee at one of the firm’s west London betting shops.
Betting shops have faced criticism recently due to their highly profitable fixed-odds betting terminals, which activist groups blame for problem gambling, while the government is set to increase the tax on betting terminals on the high street.
People close to the company yesterday warned that no final decision had been made. William Hill declined to comment.